The Westfield Watcher Case– Again

It was more website redesign that caused me to take down the pages on the Case of the Westfield Watcher than the lawsuit threats. I was threatened repeatedly with lawsuit over the article on my site, the claim being I infringed on copyright of a photograph. The haunting case, though it is on the backburner of the topic of strange and unique true crime incidents, obviously has left an indelible mark on my mind.

It’s a case that can and should be solved. I grew up in an old home, and the thought of this beautiful old Dutch colonial in New Jersey being destroyed is terrible. And the new owners (since 2014) have wanted to do that in order to build two different homes on the property and then dump it. That’s how bad they want out of the property.

The case is unique, of course, because it combines the elements of crime– a stalker writing disturbing letters– and a haunting; there is something within the house and a part of its strange past that the “Watcher” is a part of. The Watcher indicated he had watched the house, knew who was in what bedrooms, and even called the new owners’ children “young blood.” Tests on the letters later uncovered a woman’s DNA, but not the new owner’s wife.

The letters are, in fact, not a stunt by the new owners. This year, soon after renters moved into the white elephant, a new letter arrived, more disturbing than the others. The Watcher knows when new people move in. He or she remains silent until then. “It” does not want the house remodeled, let alone destroyed. The Westfield Planning Board has refused to let the owners demolish the old house.

The Woods, who sold the house to the Broadduses in 2014, were the first to receive a letter, just before moving. They insisted it wasn’t threatening. The Broadduses believe they should have been told a stalker came with the house. They sued the Woods. Now the renters have received a letter. The Watcher is faithful to “its” claims. He or She watches the house. Their stalking intent is against those therein. It does not appear directed at any family, just those in the house at a given time.

I will recap and update the case in my next blog post.

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Since 1990 Gian J. Quasar has investigated a broad range of mysterious subjects, from strange disappearances to serial murders, earning in that time the unique distinction of being likened to “the real life Kolchak.” However, he is much more at home with being called The Quester or Q Man. “He’s bloody eccentric, an historian with no qualifications who sticks his nose into affairs and gets results.” He is the author of several books, one of which inspired a Resolution in Congress.